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| William J. Blenko - The Blenko Glass Company was founded in 1893 by William J. Blenko in Kokomo, Indiana. He was born in 1853 in London's East End, on 36 Wharf Road. He worked in London glass houses when he was 13 years old and eagerly learned about glass formulation. In 1893 he came to America with the intention of starting the first glasshouse that could supply mouth blown (Antique) sheet glass for stained glass windows. At this time, all antique glass was produced in Europe (France, England, Germany) With the exception of Blenko Glass, it is still the same today. | |
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| William H. Blenko Jr., was born in Lancaster, Ohio in 1921. After graduating from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Bill Jr. joined the United States Air Force where he served in England as a Captain. This is also where he met his bride to be, Jeanne. In 1946, after serving his time in the 8th Air Force, William H. Blenko Jr., became the 3rd generation to join the family business of glass making. By 1969 Bill Jr. was appointed President of the company. | |
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| William H. Blenko Sr. had the energy, ideas and an astute sense of sales. By 1927, Eureka antique sheet glass was specified for the Liverpool Cathedral. In 1929, sales were slow due to the depression in America. Bill Sr. seeing a need to make more business, contacted a Boston Importer, named Carbone. Carbone was importing his glass vases from Venice, Italy. Bill Blenko told him he could manufacture them, and save Carbone money. When he returned to Milton, he found two Swedish glassworkers to work part-time. They were brothers Axel Mueller and Louie Miller. These two men were highly skilled in stemware manufacturing, and set the standard for all craftsmen to follow. The first samples were made in 1929. Thereafter, hand blown tableware was a major aspect of the Blenko business. | |
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| Richard D. Blenko - In 1976, Richard Deakin Blenko, son of William Jr. joined the Blenko family business. With Richard, the fourth generation of Blenko glass making began. In 1989, he published the book 'Blenko Glass 1930-1953', and founded the Blenko Glass Museum. He has carried the Blenko Glass name to PBS in numerous fund raisers, becoming the newest and most visible face for the Blenko Glass Company. He has appeared on CNN, Fox Television and has been the topic of many national print articles. | |
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| Walter J. Blenko, Jr. has been active in alumni affairs at Carnegie-Mellon University for many years, has served two terms as President of the Andrew Carnegie Society, and was a member of the Executive Committee and Executive Board of the Alumni Association. He has received the Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award and is a member of the Visiting Committee for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His civic activities include 12 years as a volunteer fireman and an honorary membership in the Wilkinsburg Emergency Medical Service. He has served as a member of and secretary to the Hampton Township Zoning Hearing Board, and as a member and president of the Hampton Township School Board. Currently, Mr. Blenko has been serving as President of Blenko Glass since September 2008. | | |
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